Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-11-21
BARNUM'S BURNED BEASTS
THE GREAT SNOWMAN LOSES THE
BULK OF HIS SHOW.

A Fire Destroys the Quarters of His Me-
nagerie-The Animals wild with Pain
Break Loose-A Terrible Scene in Bridge
port-Loss, 500, OOO-A Perfect Epi-
demic Of FIame-several Towns Nearly
Destroyed-Other Disasters.
Boston, Mass, Nov. GA Globe special
from Bridgeport, Conn, says that the main
building of Barnum and Bailey's @greatest
show on earth" was entirely destroyed by
fire Sunday evening. About 1870 o'clock an
alarm was sounded, quickly followed by
general alarm, and thousands Of people were
drawn to the spot. In less than 80 minutes
the big building which was 60Ox200 feet and
two stories in height, was entirely consumed
The first intimation of the fire was given by
the roaring of the lions and tigers, which
seemed to realize the impending danger
Next the elephants struggled in their chains,
but in an incredibly short time the flames
swept from enc end of the huge structure to
the other There were 81 < Waterman en-
ployed on the premises, but they were help
less to check the flames One of the men
was in the horse building when his lantern
exploded, iguiting the hay and straw. Five
of the watchmen have reported, but one Is
missing.
The upper portion of the building was
filed with hay and all the paraphernalia of
the great show Before the first alarm
ceased sounding the whole building was en-
veloped in fire and no one dared to approach
the building, being fearful Of the crazed ami
mails Three elephants were burned up and
thirty-six rushed through the sides
of the burning building. Their roars and
trumpetings and sounds of torment were ter
rifle Six elephants and large African hip
popotomus rushed about the streets, present
ing sickening appearance Their sides
were burned and great pieces Of flesh foot
square fell of Thirty elephants and one
large lion made their escape and have
started off across country toward Fairfield
and Easton Great alarm has seized great
many residents of the west end and they
have taken refuge within their houses with
windows barred. William Newman, the ele-
plant trainer. is out of town and the keepers
were not able in the excitement to herd the
frightened animals.
In the horse-room were all the ring ami
mails, trained stations, ponies, etc. These
were all burned In the upper rooms were
| the tents, poles seats, harness, ETC., for the
| entire show, and these, too, were all de-
| stroyed. In the cat room were the birds,
| monkeys, three rhinoceroses, hyenas, tigers,
| lious, and all the menagerie which fell a
\ prey to the flames. So rapidly did the flames
leap across the main building that the fire
| men made no attempt to save it, but turned
their streams upon the chariot building and
car-sheds, which they succeeded in saving
| but the heat was so intense that this was &C
complished with the greatest difficulty. The
| white elephants, Sampson and Alice, were
| destroyed The other elephants rushed about
| tine city, and one fell on a man, breaking
three of his ribs and one leg. The old lion,
which is often seen on the top of the chariot
| in street professions, was hauled out of the
flames by his keeper, William Buckley. As
soon as he was out Of the building the crowd
attempted to kill him by beating
his head with clubs and firing
shots into him from revolver He was Sc
cured and placed in pen, but broke out
and, scaling ten-foot high fence, took re-
fuge in a barn, where he killed a cow. He
was shot while making breakfast of frest
meat
Eight men, who were sleeping in the build
who was sick was dragged off his bed ant
out into the air.
At l2 o'clock most Of the elephants hai
been eorraled The rhinceros was got out o
the building, but was burned and cut boil
by getting out of the cage and by the crowd
who seemed possessed to kill all the animal
cat animals were burned. The monkeys AM
others were in other buildings Many of tn,
idols which are exhibited with the show wer
also destroyed
| The total loss Is estimated at 800 600 upol
which there was but $l0D, 0O0 insurance
Before the building went down Barnum'
agents were busy making arrangements 70
obtaining new lot of attractions to suppl,
the loss.
Mr. Brothwell, Barnum's Bridgepor
agent, stated that the show building woul
be rebuilt, but not in Bridgeport The grea
show would probably go to Jersey City
where better railroad facilities could be had
Mr.. Barnum is at Murray Hill, New
York, and Mr.. Bailey at his place, Twenty
fourth street and Nicholas place, where tn
news of their loss has been sent them by tele
graph.
The Waterman who discovered the fire wa
George n. Meyers. He asserts that Will
making his rounds he discovered the fire. an
as he did so he started to cry out, when som
unknown person hit him on the head with
blunt instrument telling him to the groun
and cutting several severe gashes in his head
Ha staggered to his feet, giving the alarm
and enabling the other watchmen who wer
in the building preparing for bed to escape